first beach read of the season: the golden hour by jenny hale

Y’all. Harpeth Road Press is coming in hot this year with SIX new titles being released in May! I can’t wait to read every single one of them! Three or four of them were written by some of my “auto-buy authors” and the others by debut or new-to-me authors that I’m super excited about. Each book is so different from the next, there’s even a historical fiction novel coming, and I love knowing that I have half a dozen new books to read that I won’t get bored with!

First up is The Golden Hour by Jenny Hale.

After the loss of her single father, Josie Wills gives up her dreams and returns home to take care of her autistic teenage brother Nick. But she doesn’t just leave her dreams behind; she has to leave her first real love Julian Russell.

Having been the mother figure for Nick his entire life, stepping into the role of parent comes easily for Josie. She adores Nick, and taking care of him makes her feel closer to her mother who never had the chance to see them grow up. For the last three years, Josie has gladly carried the torch and picked up where her mother left off. Although supporting Nick in their small mountain town on a waitress’s salary isn’t as easy.

Willing to put all her faith in her brother’s incredible skills, Josie sells everything they have, to enroll him in a mathematics competition. The two make the journey from their Tennessee town to the upscale world of Rosemary Beach. The stunning, serene coastal town along the Gulf Coast is full of cafés, bicycles, and cobbled streets. What she doesn’t expect is to find Julian.

But Julian isn’t the only surprise that summer. Josie will soon find out exactly how far love can stretch when she uncovers a mystery that will change her life and the lives of those around her forever.

I enjoyed so many things about this book. First, as someone who has several people with autism in their family, I loved the representation. It felt very authentic and had me crying and smiling simultaneously. I also really appreciated the way Hale showed the realities of living with someone who needs special care and the sacrifices that are often required, yet sadly overlooked. Each character in this book tugs on your heartstrings and is so relatable. Watching Josie give up her own dreams to help her brother Nick go after his, makes you love her even more. And just when you think the story can’t get any better and is over, there’s the epilogue—swoon! Also, when are we going to Rosemary Beach??

The Golden Hour is an unforgettable story of love, loss, family bonds, and new beginnings. If you’re looking for a book that goes deeper than your typical “beach read”, this is it.